A firm set up to help businesses employ skilled workers from overseas and fill labour shortages has seen demand surge in recent years.

Sponsor Licence Specialists (SLS), which is based in Weston, has been navigating the maze that is immigration compliance when taking on international talent.

Moslek Uddin, a director at SLS, said: "Certain industries, such as in construction and care, have long looked outside the UK to fill roles requiring particular skills or knowledge.

"This is likely to continue while there is a lack of investment to train those seeking a career in such industries.

"Skilled workers on a team enable a business to run effectively, with opportunities for growth.

"When it is not possible to find local talent, we help make the process of sponsoring an overseas applicant hassle-free."

SLS, based in T&L Business Park in Winterstoke Road, has a team of specialists ranging in expertise from immigration to law to HR.

It has more than a 99 per cent success rate in securing sponsorship and visas with the first application.

Mr Uddin said they worked with many businesses who had tried and failed to get a sponsor licence – often losing money where non-refundable fees applied.

(Image: Sponsor Licence Specialists)

Mr Uddin, who is an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) member for ethnic minority business which campaigns on a range of issues, said: "It’s a complex, time-consuming process and grounds for refusal are not always clear to employers.

"We have the experience and expertise to deal with the constant changes in immigration compliance - leaving business owners to focus on their team rather than paperwork."

In December 2023, the prime minister announced a package of measures designed to reduce UK migration.

This year the salary threshold for a skilled worker visa has risen by 48 per cent to £38,700, ensuring businesses pay significantly more if they recruit from overseas.

And the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), entitling people to NHS hospital treatment at no additional cost in the UK, has increased by 66 per cent from £624 to £1,035 per applicant.

But the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which came into effect in April, allows for roles where employees are skilled and there is a shortage of suitable domestic workers available.

Mr Uddin, who has worked as an executive head chef at a number of highly successful restaurants and ran his own outlet, has experienced first-hand the impact of staff shortages.

He said: "It is not always possible to find people with the right skillset in the UK, such as a highly qualified chef, and employing people from around the world helps plug the current skills gap."